‘Australia made little progress to bridge gap with aboriginals’

Canberra: Australia has made little progress in bridging the gap with its indigenous population in terms of social indicators, according to a government report published on Tuesday.

The report “Close the Gap” was presented before Parliament in Canberra by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Efe news reported.

“I’m very saddened and disappointed that the target to halve the gap in indigenous child mortality (by 2018) is not on track,” Turnbull said.

Most of the seven targets to improve the condition of the aboriginals in the health, education and employment sectors are yet to make significant headway, while the numbers for imprisonment, minors under the protection of authorities and domestic violence are at alarming levels.

Hospitalisation of indigenous women due to domestic violence is 32 times higher than the general population, while aboriginal minors are 6.7 times more likely to be under state protection because of domestic abuse and negligence.

Moreover, on June 30, 2016, there were around 10,596 indigenous people in Australian prisons, making up 27 per cent of the total population behind bars, and which is 42 per cent higher than the figures recorded in 2006, according to the report.

On the other hand, the report says more than 61 per cent of the indigenous population, aged between 20 and 24 years has completed secondary education.

Australian aboriginals have been victims of constant abuse and discrimination since their colonisation, and have been routinely dispossessed of their lands.
-IANS